U.S. patent application number 11/726381 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-25 for system and method to promote electronic assets.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T Knowledge Ventures, LP. Invention is credited to Lee Chow, David Piepenbrink, Stephen Rys.
Application Number | 20080235104 11/726381 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39775691 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080235104 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chow; Lee ; et al. |
September 25, 2008 |
System and method to promote electronic assets
Abstract
A system and method of promoting electronic assets is provided.
The method may include promoting a plurality of heterogeneous
digital assets via a common electronic system. Each of the digital
assets may have one of a plurality of asset types. The common
electronic system may be accessible via a plurality of different
types of access points. The different types of access points may
include a wireless access point and an interactive television
access point.
Inventors: |
Chow; Lee; (Naperville,
IL) ; Piepenbrink; David; (Chicago, IL) ; Rys;
Stephen; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TOLER LAW GROUP
8500 BLUFFSTONE COVE, SUITE A201
AUSTIN
TX
78759
US
|
Assignee: |
AT&T Knowledge Ventures,
LP
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
39775691 |
Appl. No.: |
11/726381 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/27.1 ;
705/26.8; 705/40; 705/59 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0633 20130101;
G06Q 20/102 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 20/306 20200501;
G06Q 30/0641 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26 ; 705/40;
705/59 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a content manager to identify a plurality
of different electronic assets available for purchase, wherein a
first electronic asset has a first asset type and a second
electronic asset has a second asset type, and wherein the first and
second asset types are different; and an interface to send data
related to the plurality of electronic assets from the content
manager via a distributed computer network; wherein the first and
second electronic assets are related; and wherein the first asset
type includes video on demand content.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second asset type includes a
ringtone including an audio clip related to the video on demand
content.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second asset type includes
music content related to the video on demand content.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second asset type includes
game content related to the video on demand content.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the interface provides a
storefront display via a channel of an Internet Protocol Television
(IPTV) system.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the content manager is further
adapted to receive a purchase request for at least one of the
plurality of electronic assets via the distributed computer
network.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a fulfillment module
to send a content file including content of at least one of the
plurality of electronic assets via the distributed computer network
to at least one user device.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the distributed network comprises
a wide-area wireless communication network.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a settlement system to
process a payment related to promotion of at least one of the
plurality of different electronic assets via the content
manager.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the content manager is further
adapted to gather data regarding the plurality of electronic assets
for presentation from one or more content providers.
11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an offer engine to
manage cross-promotion of two or more of the plurality of
electronic assets.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a license management
system to manage licensing rights associated with one or more of
the plurality of electronic assets.
13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a billing system to
prepare a unified bill, wherein the unified bill includes at least
one charge related to a transaction associated with one or more of
the plurality of electronic assets and at least one charge related
to providing communication services.
14. A method comprising: promoting, via a common electronic system,
a plurality of heterogeneous digital assets, each of such assets
having one of a plurality of asset types, wherein the common
electronic system is accessible via a plurality of different types
of access points, and wherein the different types of access points
include a wireless access point and an interactive television
access point.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the interactive television
access point includes an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) access
point.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of different
types of access points include an Internet access point.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein two or more of the plurality of
heterogeneous digital assets are related to each other.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining user
interest in a first digital asset and promoting a second digital
asset.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first digital asset has a
first asset type and the second digital asset has a second asset
type, and wherein the first digital asset and the second digital
asset are related.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein promoting the second digital
asset comprises offering to discount at least the second digital
asset.
21. The method of claim 14, further comprising determining user
interest in a first digital asset and promoting a service.
22. The method of claim 14, wherein the first digital asset
comprises an audio clip associated with a movie, and the second
digital asset comprises the movie.
23. The method of claim 14, wherein the first digital asset
comprises a movie, and the second digital asset comprises an audio
clip associate with the movie.
24. A computer readable medium comprising computer readable
instructions, wherein the computer readable instructions are
executable by a computing system to: identify a plurality of
heterogeneous digital assets, each digital asset having one of a
plurality of asset types, wherein the heterogeneous digital assets
are related; and cross-promote two or more of the heterogeneous
digital assets via a plurality of different types of access
points.
25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the
instructions are further executable to receive a first request for
at least a first digital asset, and send data including the first
digital asset to a first user access point based at least partially
on the first request.
26. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein
cross-promoting two or more of the heterogeneous digital assets
comprises sending a solicitation to a first user access point, the
solicitation promoting a second digital asset related to the first
digital asset, wherein the first digital asset and the second
digital asset have different asset types.
27. The computer readable medium of claim 25, wherein
cross-promoting two or more of the heterogeneous digital assets
comprises sending a solicitation promoting a second digital asset
related to the first digital asset to a second user access
point.
28. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein the
instructions are further executable to promote a service associated
with at least one of the heterogeneous digital assets.
29. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein at least one
of the heterogeneous digital assets comprises video on demand
content.
30. The computer readable medium of claim 24, wherein at least one
of the heterogeneous digital assets comprises a ringtone.
Description
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure is generally related to systems and
methods to promote electronic assets.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many electronic devices utilize electronic assets, such as
digital files including video, audio or data content, to provide
services for users. For example, mobile telephones may utilize
digital files including audio content, such as ringtone files, to
notify users of incoming calls. Televisions may utilize digital
files including video content, such as pay-per view content, video
on demand content, or television content, to provide a video
display. Computers may utilize digital files including video,
audio, or data content to provide a variety of services for users.
Finding or acquiring desired assets may be time consuming or
inconvenient for users. Hence, there is need for an improved system
and method to promote electronic assets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment
of a system to promote electronic assets;
[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment
of a system to promote electronic assets;
[0005] FIG. 3 is a ladder diagram of a first particular embodiment
of a method of promoting electronic assets;
[0006] FIG. 4 is a ladder diagram of a second particular embodiment
of a method of promoting electronic assets;
[0007] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a first particular embodiment of
a method of promoting electronic assets;
[0008] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a second particular embodiment
of a method of promoting electronic assets;
[0009] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a third particular embodiment of
a method of promoting electronic assets; and
[0010] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a
computer system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In a particular embodiment, a system to promote electronic
assets may include a content manager to identify a plurality of
different electronic assets available for purchase. A first
electronic asset may have a first asset type and a second
electronic asset may have a second asset type. In an illustrative
embodiment, the first and second asset types are different. The
system may also include an interface to send data related to the
plurality of electronic assets from the content manager via a
distributed computer network. In an illustrative embodiment, the
first and second electronic assets may be related. In an
illustrative embodiment, the first asset type may include video on
demand content.
[0012] In a particular embodiment, a method of promoting electronic
assets may include promoting a plurality of heterogeneous digital
assets via a common electronic system. In an illustrative
embodiment, each of the digital assets may have one of a plurality
of asset types. The common electronic system may be accessible via
a plurality of different types of access points. The different
types of access points may include a wireless access point and an
interactive television access point.
[0013] In a particular embodiment, a computer readable medium may
include computer readable instructions. The computer readable
instructions may be executable by a computing system to identify a
plurality of heterogeneous digital assets. Each digital asset has
one of a plurality of asset types. In an illustrative embodiment,
the heterogeneous digital assets may be related. The instructions
may also be executable to cross-promote two or more of the
heterogeneous digital assets via a plurality of different types of
access points.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first particular embodiment
of a system to promote electronic assets, generally designated 100.
The system 100 includes a distributed network 106 that facilitates
communication between an offer management system 102 and one or
more user devices, such as a set-top box device 114 coupled to one
or more display devices 116; a computing device 112; and a mobile
device 110. The offer management system 102 includes an interface
104 and a content and management fulfillment module 118. The user
devices 110, 112, 114 can access a plurality of electronic assets
in one or more electronic asset databases 108 by communicating with
the offer management system 102 via the distributed computer
network 106.
[0015] The electronic asset database(s) 108 may include a plurality
of different electronic assets that are available for purchase.
For,example, the electronic assets may include ringtones 120, video
on demand (VOD) content 122, games 124, video clips 126, audio
clips 128, music files 130, other electronic assets, or any
combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, one or more of the
electronic assets may be embodied in a physical storage medium,
such as a digital video disk (DVD), a compact disk (CD), a hard
disk, a flash memory, another physical storage medium, or any
combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the electronic
asset database(s) 108 may include at least two different types of
assets. For example, the electronic asset database(s) 108 may
include a first asset having a first asset type, such as a ringtone
120, and a second asset having a second asset type, such as VOD
content 122. In a particular embodiment, the two or more assets
having different asset types may be related. For example, two or
more of the electronic assets having different asset types may be
related to one another in that they include related content, e.g.,
content based on or derived from a common source, such as a book,
movie, song, game, etc. To illustrate, the ringtone 120 may include
audio content related to a movie provided by the VOD content 122.
That is, the VOD content 122 may include a movie with a particular
song as part of its sound track, and the ringtone 120 may include
or be derived from the particular song. Similarly, any combination
of the electronic assets 120-130 may be related.
[0016] In a particular embodiment, the a content management and
fulfillment module 118 can communicate with the electronic asset
database(s) 108 to gather information about the electronic assets
120-130 and to make the electronic assets available to the user
devices 110, 112, 114 for purchase or consumption. In an
illustrative embodiment, the content management and fulfillment
module 118 may retrieve metadata describing the available
electronic assets and provide the metadata to the offer management
system 102. The offer management system 102 may use the metadata to
generate a storefront display that offers the one or more
electronic assets for purchase. The content management and
fulfillment module 118 may also facilitate sending content files
including content of at least one of the electronic assets to the
user devices 110, 112, 114 when an asset is purchased. For example,
the content management and fulfillment module 118 may send a data
file including the content of a purchased electronic asset via the
distributed computer network 106 to one or more of the user devices
110, 112, 114. In another example, the content management and
fulfillment module 118 may provide data to a device associated with
an electronic asset, such as a third-party fulfillment system 132
or other fulfillment module to authorize transmission of the data
file including the content of the purchased asset to one or more of
the user devices 110, 112, 114. The third-party fulfillment system
132 may provide the electronic asset to one or more of the user
devices 110, 112, 114 via the distributed computer network 106. In
a particular embodiment where the electronic asset is embodied in a
physical storage medium, the third-party fulfillment system 132 may
send the electronic asset to a customer premises by physical
delivery of the storage medium, for example, by mail or
currier.
[0017] The offer management system 102 may provide the storefront
display via the distributed computer network 106 to the user
devices 110, 112, 114. The storefront display may include
information about one or more of the electronic assets and make the
electronic assets available for purchase. The offer management
system 102 may provide the storefront display in a manner that is
accessible by a variety of different user devices. In an
illustrative embodiment, the distributed computer network 106 may
include an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network, and the
storefront display may be provided to the set-top box device 114
via a particular channel of the IPTV system or a web page
accessible from a universal graphical user interface provided to
the display device 116. In another illustrative embodiment, the
distributed computer network 106 may include a wide area network,
such at the Internet, and the storefront display may be provided to
the computing device 112 via one or more web pages. In another
illustrative embodiment, the distributed computer network 106 may
include a wireless wide are network, such as a cellular telephone
network, and the storefront display may be provided to the mobile
device via one or more wireless messages, e.g., via a wireless
access protocol (WAP), a wireless short message service (SMS)
message, or a wireless multimedia message service (MMS)
message.
[0018] In a particular embodiment, the system 100 may identify a
plurality of heterogeneous digital assets, that is, assets of
different asset types. Two or more of the heterogeneous digital
assets may be related to one another. The offer management system
102 may be used to cross-promote two or more of the heterogeneous
digital assets via a plurality of different types of access points
to user devices 110, 112, 114. In an illustrative embodiment,
cross-promotion of digital assets may include sending a
solicitation message based on the user interest in the particular
asset. For example, after determining user interest in a first
digital asset, a solicitation may be sent to a first user access
point to promote a second digital asset that is related to the
first digital asset. Thus, the user may demonstrate interest in a
first digital asset via a first user device and the offer
management system 102 may send a solicitation to first user device,
or to a second user device associated with the user. The
solicitation may promote a second digital asset. To illustrate, the
user may purchase VOD content, such as a movie, via the set-top box
device 114. The offer management system 102 may send a solicitation
promoting a second digital asset, such as a ringtone, associated
with the first digital asset. The solicitation may be sent to the
set-top box device 114, or the solicitation may be sent to a mobile
device 110 or computing device 112 associated with the user.
[0019] In a particular embodiment, one or more of the electronic
assets may be embodied in a physical storage medium, such as a DVD.
I
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular embodiment
of a system to promote electronic assets, generally designated 200.
The system 200 includes a single sign on interface 208 to
communicate with one or more of a plurality of access points at an
access portal module 202. The access points may include
representative access points, such as an IPTV portal 210, a web
portal 212, and a mobile device portal 214. The access portal
module 202 also includes a portal agnostic storefront application
216. The portal agnostic storefront application 216 may send data
related to a storefront display via the various access portals 210,
212, 214 to a user device that is signed on via the single sign on
interface 208
[0021] The system 200 also includes a content management and
aggregation module 204 having a content manager 230, an offer
engine 240 and an administration device 290. The administration
device 290 may communicate with the content management and
aggregation module 204, the fulfillment and delivery module 206,
and the access portal module 202 to allow administrative
configuration of each module. For example, the administrative
device 290 may be used to establish offer management rules stored
at a rules and conditions database 242. In another example, the
administrative device 290 may be used to configure a storefront
display provided via the access portal module 202. In another
example, the administrative device 290 may be used to configure a
fulfillment module or transaction module of the fulfillment and
delivery module 206.
[0022] In a particular embodiment, the content manager 230 includes
a content catalog and publication module 232. The content catalog
and publication module 232 may identify assets that are available
to be offered for sale. For example, the content delivery and
management module 234 may query content providers, such as the
content provider 276, to identify assets that are available for
purchase. The catalog and publication module 232 may process data
received from the content providers 276 to identify metadata
related to available assets, such as a description of the content
of an asset, a format of the asset, a type of the asset, a cost of
the asset, other information about the asset, or any combination
thereof. The catalog and publication and module 232 may provide a
catalog publication output 220 to the portal agnostic storefront
application 216 identifying the available assets. The catalog and
publication and module 232 may also provide information identifying
the available assets to the offer engine 240 to allow offer rules
related to the assets to be configured.
[0023] In a particular embodiment, the content manager 230 may also
include a content delivery and management module 234. The content
delivery and management module 234 may manage delivery of purchased
assets to user devices. For example, the content delivery and
management module 234 may receive payment information for the
purchase of an asset via the portal agnostic storefront application
216. The content delivery and management module 234 may send an
access grant message to a content provider after payment for an
asset has been received and approved. The grant message may
authorize the content provider to send the content of the purchased
asset to the purchasing user device or another user device.
[0024] In a particular embodiment, the content manager 230 may also
include a license rights module 238. The license rights module 238
may implement rules to ensure the license rights associated with
digital assets are complied with. For example, the license rights
module 238 may ensure that royalties associated with digital assets
are paid. In another example, the license rights module 238 may
determine an amount owed to a content provider or third party
resulting from the purchase of a digital asset.
[0025] In a particular embodiment, the content manager 230 may also
include a subscriber database 236. The subscriber database 236 may
include subscriber data, such as demographic information and
geographic information. The subscriber database may be utilized to
establish promotional offers, to identify subscribers to which
promotional offers should be made, to implement offer rules, and so
forth. For example, the offer engine 240 may access the subscriber
database 236 in order to determine whether a particular offer
applies to a particular subscriber based on the subscriber
data.
[0026] In a particular embodiment, the fulfillment and delivery
module 206 may include a variety of fulfillment modules including a
mobile module 270, a third party content module 272, a web module
274, a dedicated content provider module 276 and an Internet
Protocol Television (IPTV) module 278. The fulfillment modules 270,
272, 274, 276 and 278 provide data identifying assets available for
purchase to the content manager 230. In a particular embodiment,
the fulfillment modules 270, 272, 274, 276 and 278 may also send
data including the content of a purchased asset to a user
device.
[0027] In a particular embodiment, the fulfillment and delivery
module 206 may include one or more transaction application modules,
such as a billing mediation module 280, a billing applications
module 282, a partner settlement module 284, and customer payment
suggestion module 286. The billing mediation module 280 may receive
data related to the purchase of assets, e.g., billing events data,
from the content manager 230 and may determine a charge for the
purchase based on the data. The billing mediation module 280 may
pass data related to the purchase to the billing applications
module 282. The billing applications module 282 may prepare a bill
to charge a subscriber for the purchase of an asset. For example,
the billing application module 282 may add the charge to a unified
subscriber bill for communication services, such as wireless
telephone service, telephone service, television service (e.g.,
IPTV service), Internet access service, other communication
services, or any combination thereof.
[0028] In a particular embodiment, the partner settlement module
284 may receive information associated with the purchase of an
asset from the content manager 230. The partner settlement module
284 may process the purchase information to determine an amount
owed to another party, such as a content provider, license rights
holder, fulfillment agent, or other party. As a result of the
purchase. The partner settlement module 284 may execute payment of
the owed amount or pass information related to the owed amount to a
payment system.
[0029] In a particular embodiment, the customer payment suggestion
module 286 may also receive data from the content manager 230
related to purchase an asset. The purchase information may include
a purchase price and information about the subscriber. The customer
payment suggestion module 286 may determine available payment
options for the subscriber, such as a charge to the subscriber's
account (e.g., a communication services account), payment by credit
card, payment by electronic funds transfer, other payment options,
or any combination thereof.
[0030] The content management and aggregation module 204 may
communicate with the fulfillment and delivery module 206 via a
plurality of communication links. Representative examples of the
communication links may include delivery, dispatch and tracking
communication links 250, 252, 254, content discovery communication
link 256, video content discovery link 258, IPTV access grant
communication link 260. In addition, the content management and
aggregation module 204 may communicate with the transaction
application modules of the fulfillment and delivery module 206 via
a billing event communication link 262, a partner settlement
communication link 264 and credit check and payment authorization
communication link 266.
[0031] The content manager 230 may communicate with the portal
agnostic storefront application 216 via a plurality of
communication links 220-228. Representative examples of the
communication links may include a catalog publication communication
link 220 to provide information about available assets, purchase
request/confirmation communication link 222 to communicate purchase
and purchase confirmation information, a grant access communication
link 226 to communicate access grants, and a payment request
confirmation communication link 224 to communicate payment request
and confirmation information. In addition, the offer engine 240 may
communicate with the portal agnostic storefront application 216,
for example, via an advice of change (AOC) communication link
228.
[0032] During operation of a particular embodiment, the content
manager 230 prepares a catalog of assets available for purchase and
provides the catalog of assets to the administration device 290 for
configuration of offer rules and conditions related to the assets.
The offer engine 240 implements the offer rules and conditions to
promote the assets in the catalog via a storefront display sent to
user devices via the portal agnostic storefront application 216.
The content manager 230 receives requests for purchase of such
assets via the portal agnostic application 216. The offer engine
240 provides an advice of charge (AoC) to the subscriber associated
with the purchase via the portal agnostic storefront application
216. If the subscriber approves the charge, the content manager 230
sends payment information to the transaction application modules
280, 282, 284, 286 and communicates with the fulfillment and
delivery module 206 in order to fulfill the purchase.
[0033] In a particular embodiment, after purchase of the asset, the
portal agnostic storefront application 216 may provide the content
of the electronic asset via a suitable interface based on the asset
type. For example, IPTV related asset may be provided via the IPTV
portal 210, an internet asset may be available via the web portal
212, and a mobile asset may be available via the mobile portal 214.
Additionally, the content manager 230 may interact with the
fulfillment and delivery module 206 to provide billing information
necessary to billing the subscriber for the asset purchase and to
pay content providers or others third parties for the
transaction.
[0034] FIGS. 3 and 4 include ladder diagrams that illustrate
examples of interactions between various modules to implement
particular embodiments of a method of promoting electronic assets.
In particular, the ladder diagrams illustrate interactions between
a user device 302, a marketing module 304, a storefront module 306,
a content manager 316, an offer engine 318, an operation systems
and support (OSS) billing systems and support (BSS) gateway 320, an
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system 322, a mobile module
324, and a billing module 326.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, a ladder diagram of a first particular
embodiment of a method of promoting electronic assets is shown and
is generally designated 300. The method 300 includes various stages
including an entry stage 334, a browse stage 332, and an asset
drill down stage 330.
[0036] In connection with the entry stage 334, a message 340 may be
sent from the user device 302 to the storefront module 306. The
message 340 may include a request to enter the storefront, e.g., to
access data related to a storefront display. The storefront module
306 may include a portal agnostic application adapted to
communicate with a variety of user devices, such as the user device
302. The storefront module 306 sends a message 342 to the offer
engine 318 to request account level promotions. In an illustrative
embodiment, account level promotions may include promotions offered
to a particular user based on subscriber data associated with the
user. For example, an account level promotion may be offered to a
user based on the user's purchase history, location or other
subscriber data. The offer engine 318 responds to the storefront
module 306 with a message 344 including account level promotions
information. The storefront module 306 sends a message 346 to the
user device 302 including the storefront data and the account level
promotions.
[0037] In connection with the browse stage 332, the user device 302
may display a user interface based on the storefront data and the
account level promotions. In an illustrative embodiment, the user
interface may include one or more selectable menus associated with
particular assets. If the user selects a menu, the user device 302
may send a message 348 indicating the selection to the storefront
module 306. The storefront module 306 may send a message 350 to the
content manager 316 to retrieve access right information regarding
the selection. The content manager 316 may respond with a message
352 including the access right information. In a particular
embodiment, a user may have access rights to an asset indicating
whether the asset has been purchased, is available for purchase, or
has already been viewed.
[0038] The storefront module 306 may also send a message 354 to the
offer engine 318 to retrieve advice of charge (AoC) information
(e.g., purchase price information) related to assets associated
with the menu. The offer engine 318 may send a message 356 to the
content manager 316 requesting dynamic condition information, and
the content manager 316 may respond with a message 358 including
the dynamic condition information. The offer engine 318 may
determine the advice of charge for the account of each asset
identified by storefront module 306 in the message 354 based on the
dynamic condition information. If no offers apply to a particular
asset, the offer engine 318 may not return anything for the
particular asset. If multiple offers apply to a particular asset,
the offer engine 318 may return one AoC, but may also indicate that
other offers also apply. In a particular embodiment, if multiple
offers apply to a particular asset, the offer engine 318 may return
the AoC having the lowest price. The offer engine 318 may send a
message back to the storefront module 306 with the account level
AoC for the list of assets. The storefront module 306 may send a
message 362 to the user device 302 including a list of assets that
are available for purchase and an AoC related to each available
asset. In a particular embodiment, the storefront module 306 may
only list an advice of charge for assets that are available for
purchase. The message 362 from the storefront module 306 may also
include information identifying assets that have already been
purchased.
[0039] In connection with the asset drill down stage 330, a user
may select an asset that has not already been purchased, and the
user device 302 may send a message 364 indicating the selection to
the storefront module 306. The storefront module 306 may access a
preview of the selected asset from a fulfillment and delivery
module. For example, for a video on demand asset, the storefront
module 306 may access the preview from the IPTV system 322 via a
message 366. The storefront module 306 may also send a message 368
to the offer engine 318 to retrieve offers related to the selected
asset. The offer engine 318 may determine the dynamic condition
from the content manager 316 via messages 370 and 372. The offer
engine 318 may provide a list of offers relate to the asset and AoC
for each offer to the storefront module 306 via a message 374. The
storefront module 306 may provide the list of offers related to the
asset and the AoC for each such asset to the user device 302 via a
message 376. If, after the asset drill down stage 330, the user
continues with the purchase of the selected asset, the method 300
may proceed, at 380, to the method 400 depicted in FIG. 4.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, a ladder diagram of a second particular
embodiment of a method of promoting electronic assets is shown and
is generally designated 400. The method 400 may continue at 380
from the method 300 depicted in FIG. 3. The method 400 includes a
purchase intent stage 440, a purchase stage 442, a payment stage
444, and a consume stage 446.
[0041] In connection with the purchase intent stage 440, a user may
indicate an intent to purchase a selected asset, and the user
device 302 may send a message 402 identifying the selected asset
and offer to the storefront module 306. The storefront module 306
may request confirmation of the intent to purchase the asset via
message 404.
[0042] In connection with the purchase stage 442, the user device
302 may send a message 406 to the storefront module 306 confirming
the purchase. In response to the confirmation message 406, the
storefront module 306 sends a purchase request message 408
including an identification of the asset, the offer and the user
account to the content manager 316.
[0043] The content manager 316 may send a message 410 to the
billing module 326 to retrieve allowable payment methods for the
purchase and to determine a credit limit associated with the
account. The billing module 326 may respond with a message 412
indicating the credit limit and authorized payment methods. If the
credit limit and payment methods allow the purchase, the content
manager 316 may send a message 414 to the storefront module 306
acknowledging the purchase and identifying the allowable payment
methods and credit limit. The storefront module 306 may send a
message 416 to the user device 302 prompting the user for a payment
method based on the allowable payment methods and credit limit.
[0044] In connection with the payment stage 444, the user may
select a payment type and send a message 418 via the user device
302 indicating the selection to the storefront module 306. The
storefront module 306 may send a message 420 including a payment
request and indicating a payment method to the content manager 316.
The content manage 316 may send a message 422 to the billing module
326 requesting authorization of the payment. The billing module 326
may respond with a message 424 authorizing the payment. The content
manager 316 may send a message to a fulfillment module to grant
rights to access the asset to the user device 302. For example, for
a video on demand (VOD) asset, the content manager 316 may send a
message 426 to an OSS/BSS gateway 320 associated with the IPTV
system 322 to grant rights to the user device 302. In another
example, for a mobile asset, the content manager 316 may send a
message 428 to a mobile system 324 to grant rights to the user
device 302. The content manager 316 may also send a message 430
indicating the occurrence of a billing event to the billing system
326. The content manager 316 may send a message 432 to the
storefront module 306 indicating that the purchase is complete. The
storefront module 306 may send a message to the user device 302
displaying the purchased asset as consumable, e.g., indicating that
the asset has been purchased and is available to be consumed.
[0045] In connection with the consume stage 446, the user may send
a message 436 via user device 302 to the storefront module 306
including a request to consume the asset. The storefront module 306
may send a message 438 redirecting the user device to a fulfillment
module, such as the IPTV system 322 or mobile system 324.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a first particular embodiment of a
method of promoting electronic assets, generally designated 500.
The method 500 includes, at 502, gathering data related to a
plurality of electronic assets for presentation via a content
manager. The method 500 further includes, at 504, managing
cross-promotion of two or more electronic assets. In a particular
embodiment, the cross-promotion of two or more electronic assets
may be carried out by an offer engine based on a plurality of offer
rules and conditions.
[0047] The method 500 may also include, at 506, identifying a
plurality of different electronic assets available for purchase. In
a particular embodiment, a first electronic asset of the plurality
of electronic assets may have a first asset type and a second
electronic asset may have a second asset type. Further, the first
and second electronic assets may be related to one another. For
example, the first asset type may be video on demand (VOD) content,
and the second asset type may be a ringtone. The ringtone may
include content associated with the VOD content. The plurality of
different electronic assets may be identified, for example, by the
content manager via a storefront display. The method 500 also
includes, at 508, sending data related to the plurality of
electronic assets from the content manager via a distributed
computer network. For example, the content manager may send the
data as a storefront display to one or more user devices via one or
more access point portals.
[0048] In a particular embodiment, the method 500 includes, at 510,
receiving a purchase request for at least one of the plurality of
electronic assets via the distributed computer network. For
example, the content manager may receive the purchase request from
a user device via the storefront display. The method 500 may also
include, at 512, sending a content file including content of at
least one of the plurality of electronic assets via the distributed
computer network to at least one user device. For example, the
content manager may process the purchase order and authorize a
fulfillment module to send the content file to the user device. In
a particular embodiment, the user device may include a mobile
device, a set-top box, a television, a computing device, another
user device capable of accessing and utilizing an electronic asset,
or any combination thereof.
[0049] In a particular embodiment, the method 500 may include, at
514, managing licensing rights associated with one or more of the
plurality of electronic assets, as shown at 516. For example, a
license module may manage the licensing rights to comply with
licensing rights associated with the electronic assets. The method
500 may include, at 516, processing a payment related to promotion
of at least one of the plurality of electronic assets. In a
particular embodiment, a settlement system may process the payment
related to the promotion of the at least one asset. In an
illustrative embodiment, processing the payment may include
receiving a payment as compensation for promoting the asset or pay
compensation to a content provider as a result of sale of a
promoted asset. The method 500 may include, at 518, preparing a
unified bill related to transactions associated with one or more of
the plurality of electronic assets. In a particular embodiment, a
billing system may prepare the unified bill. The unified bill may
also include charges related to communication services, such as
telephone communication service, wireless telephone communication
service, Internet service, television service, other communication
services, or any combination thereof.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a second particular embodiment of a
method of promoting electronic assets, generally designated 600.
The method 600 includes, at 602, promoting, a plurality of
heterogeneous digital assets, such as a first asset 604 and a
second asset 606, via a common electronic system 608. Each of the
assets 604, 606 has one of a plurality of available asset types. In
addition, common electronic system 608 may be accessible to user
devices, such as a first user device 610 and a second user device
622, via a plurality of different access points. In a particular
embodiment, the plurality of different access points may include
different types of access points, such as a wireless communication
access point, an interactive television access point, or an
Internet access point. The method 600 may also include, at 614,
determining user interest in the first digital asset 604. In a
particular embodiment, user interest in the first digital asset 604
may be determined based on user data 612 which may indicate a user
selection of the asset, a user purchase of the asset, or
historical, demographic or geographic data related to the user. For
example, user interest in the first digital asset 604 may be
determined based on the user's historical purchases, the user's
location, other information associated with the user, or any
combination thereof.
[0051] In a particular embodiment, after determining user interest
in the first digital asset 604, the method 600 may include, at 616,
promoting the second digital asset 606 or, at 618, promoting a
service. In an illustrative embodiment, promoting the second
digital asset 606 or service may include sending a solicitation
message to the user at a user device. For example, the solicitation
message may be sent to the user device via which user interest in
the first digital asset 604 was determined, such as the first user
device 610, or to a user device associated with the asset type of
the second asset 606, such as the second user device 622. In
another example, the solicitation message may be sent to a user
device via which user interest in the first digital asset 604 was
determined, such as the first user device 610, or to a user device
associated with the offered service, such as the second user device
622. In an illustrative embodiment, promoting the second digital
asset 606 may include, at 620, offering to discount at least the
second digital asset. To illustrate, the first digital asset may be
a ringtone. After determining user interest in the ringtone, the
method 600 may offer a user the opportunity to receive the ringtone
for free if the user subscribes to an offered service, such as a
communication service.
[0052] In a particular embodiment, the first user device 610, the
second user device 622, or both may include a television device or
a set top box device in communication with an offer management
system via an interactive television access portal. In another
particular embodiment, the first user device 610, the second user
device 622, or both may include a mobile device in communication
with an offer management system via a mobile device portal. In
another particular embodiment, the first user device 610, the
second user device 622, or both may include a computing device in
communication with an offer management system via a web portal.
[0053] In a particular embodiment, two or more of the plurality of
heterogeneous digital assets may be related to each other. For
example, the first digital asset 604 and the second digital asset
606 may include related content, such as content based on or
derived from a common source. Additionally, in a particular
embodiment, the first digital asset 604 may have a first asset type
and the second digital asset 606 may have a second access asset
type. For example, the first digital asset 604 may include an audio
clip and the second digital asset 606 may include a video clip. In
another example, the first digital asset 604 may include an audio
clip associated with a movie and the second digital asset 606 may
include content of the movie. In another example, the first digital
asset may include a movie and the second digital asset may include
an audio clip that is associated with the movie, such as a song,
sound effect, or excerpt of dialog.
[0054] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a third particular embodiment of a
method of promoting electronic assets, generally designated 700.
The method 700 may be executable by a processor or distributed
computing system based on software instructions to promote a
plurality of heterogeneous digital assets. In a particular
illustrative embodiment, at least one of the heterogeneous digital
assets may include video on demand content. In another particular
illustrative embodiment, at least one of the heterogeneous digital
assets may include a ringtone.
[0055] The method 700 includes, at 702, identifying a plurality of
heterogeneous digital assets, such as first asset 708 and second
asset 710. The method 700 further includes, at 704, cross-promoting
two or more of the heterogeneous digital assets via a plurality of
different types of access points. In a particular embodiment,
cross-promoting two or more heterogeneous digital assets may
include, at 712, sending a solicitation to a first user access
point 714 or to a second user access point 716. The solicitation
may promote the second digital asset 710, which may be related to
the first digital asset 708. The first digital asset 708 and the
second digital asset 710 may have different asset types.
[0056] In a particular embodiment, the method includes, at 706,
promoting a service associated with at least one of the
heterogeneous digital assets. In a particular embodiment, the
method 700 may also include, at 718, receiving a first request for
at least the first digital asset 708 and, at 720, sending data
including the first digital asset 708 to the first user access
point 714 based at least partially on the first request.
[0057] In conjunction with the configuration of structure described
herein, the systems and methods disclosed promote electronic
assets. In a particular illustrative embodiment, a common
electronic system may be used to promote a plurality of
heterogeneous digital assets with different asset types. The common
electronic system may be accessible via a plurality of different
types of access points. For example, the access points may include
a wireless access point and an interactive television access
point.
[0058] In a particular embodiment, the storefront display, offer
management system and fulfillment system described herein may
provide a powerful vehicle to cross-promote and cross-sell
heterogeneous assets (e.g., video assets, mobile assets, computing
assets, and so forth) via a common unified storefront interface
that is accessible via multiple types of access points. The system
may allow for promotional offers to be created across heterogeneous
asset types. For example, promotional offers may bundle different
types of assets or services, or may promote assets based on user
information such as geography, demographics, historical purchases,
etc. Such systems may also enable increased commercial
opportunities as the heterogeneous assets may be browsed through
the unified storefront interface. The system may also support
converged assets, i.e., assets that can be consumed via more than
one user device. For example, video on demand assets that can be
viewed via a television device, a mobile device, a computing
device, or another user device. Thus, the system may allow for
access to the unified storefront interface via a variety of user
devices, to promote a variety of heterogeneous electronic assets
that may be consumed via a variety of user devices. With this
flexible system the heterogeneous assets may be cross-promoted,
bundled, or otherwise cross-marketing to facilitate increased
customer attraction and enhanced revenue opportunities for content
providers and service providers. In addition, increased subscriber
penetration may be achieved through such bundled promotions and
cross-promotions. Further, through use of an integrated billing
system, increased usability and convenience from a user prospective
may be achieved.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 8, an illustrative embodiment of a general
computer system is shown and is designated 800. The computer system
800 can include a set of instructions that can be executed to cause
the computer system 800 to perform any one or more of the methods
or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system
800 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g.,
using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices.
In an illustrative embodiment, the computer system 800 may include
any one or more of the user devices, offer management system
devices, content management devices, databases, modules, or other
devices depicted in and described with reference to FIGS. 1-7.
[0060] In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate
in the capacity of a server or as a client user computer in a
server-client user network environment, or as a peer computer
system in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The
computer system 800 can also be implemented as or incorporated into
various devices, such as a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a
set-top box (STB), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile
device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer,
a communications device, a wireless telephone, a land-line
telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimile
machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web
appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine
capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or
otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a
particular embodiment, the computer system 800 can be implemented
using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data
communication. Further, while a single computer system 800 is
illustrated, the term "system" shall also be taken to include any
collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly
execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or
more computer functions.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the computer system 800 may
include a processor 802, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a
graphics processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer
system 800 can include a main memory 804 and a static memory 806,
that can communicate with each other via a bus 808. As shown, the
computer system 800 may further include a video display unit 810,
such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting
diode (OLED), a flat panel display, a solid state display, or a
cathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the computer system 800 may
include an input device 812, such as a keyboard, and a cursor
control device 814, such as a mouse. The computer system 800 can
also include a disk drive unit 816,.a signal generation device 818,
such as a speaker or remote control, and a network interface device
820.
[0062] In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 8, the disk
drive unit 816 may include a computer-readable medium 822 in which
one or more sets of instructions 824, e.g. software, can be
embedded. Further, the instructions 824 may embody one or more of
the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular
embodiment, the instructions 824 may reside completely, or at least
partially, within the main memory 804, the static memory 806,
and/or within the processor 802 during execution by the computer
system 800. The main memory 804 and the processor 802 also may
include computer-readable media.
[0063] In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware
implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits,
programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be
constructed to implement one or more of the methods described
herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of
various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and
computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may
implement functions using two or more specific interconnected
hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals
that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as
portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.
Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and
hardware implementations.
[0064] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by
software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an
exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include
distributed processing, component/object distributed processing,
and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtual computer system
processing can be constructed to implement one or more of the
methods or functionality as described herein.
[0065] The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable
medium that includes instructions 824 or receives and executes
instructions 824 responsive to a propagated signal, so that a
device connected to a network 826 can communicate voice, video or
data over the network 826. Further, the instructions 824 may be
transmitted or received over the network 826 via the network
interface device 820.
[0066] While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single
medium, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single
medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed
database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or
more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium"
shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding
or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or
that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the
methods or operations disclosed herein.
[0067] In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the
computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a
memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile
read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a
random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.
Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a
magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other
storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal
communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment
to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of
archives may be considered a distribution medium that is equivalent
to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is
considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium
or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media,
in which data or instructions may be stored.
[0068] Although the present specification describes components and
functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with
reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosed
embodiments are not limited to such standards and protocols. For
example, standards for Internet and other packet switched network
transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples
of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded
by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same
functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having
the same or similar functions as those disclosed herein are
considered equivalents thereof.
[0069] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are
intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the
various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as
a complete description of all of the elements and features of
apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods
described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those
of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other
embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such
that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally,
the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn
to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be
exaggerated, while other proportions may be reduced. Accordingly,
the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative
rather than restrictive.
[0070] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to
herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term "invention"
merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit
the scope of this application to any particular invention or
inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have
been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated
that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or
similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent
adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of
the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically
described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art
upon reviewing the description.
[0071] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37
C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that
it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of
the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description,
various features may be grouped together or described in a single
embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This
disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that
the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the
features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following
claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each
claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject
matter.
[0072] The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered
illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other
embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the
scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest
permissible interpretation of the following claims and their
equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the
foregoing detailed description.
* * * * *